For nearly 20 years, Hotel Granduca has served as a stately and romantic backdrop for the boutiques and restaurants at Uptown Park. After its recent multi-million dollar renovation, which includes the opening of a new restaurant and bar called Remi, the luxe European-inspired boutique hotel is giving locals reason to venture in and stay awhile.
Remi, and its adjacent coffee and cocktail lounge coined Bar Remi, is open on the lobby level of Hotel Granduca for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, daily. Born from a collaboration between Episcope Hospitality, a hospitality and consulting group with concepts across the nation, and Transwestern, a full-service hospitality investment, development, and operating company, Remi melds European flavors with local influences in a way that fits in harmoniously with the stylish hotel.
“At Remi, our focus is on crafting a dining experience that feels both elevated and effortless. We’ve taken inspiration from European culinary traditions and blended them with the bold flavors and hospitality that define Texas. We’ve created a place where guests can return time and again—whether for a beautifully prepared meal, a glass of wine, or simply to soak in the atmosphere,” shares Daniel Orrison, partner at Episcope.
At Remi’s helm is Italian-born executive chef Maurizio Ferrarese, who puts the spotlight on fresh pasta prepared daily, along with comfort plates like crispy Roman artichokes with roasted garlic aioli and fried rosemary; steak frites; Ora king salmon with charred broccolini; and the Remi burger, a classic handheld built with cheddar, dijonnaise, and pickle on brioche.
To complement the all-day dining menus, Ryan Gaudin, advanced sommelier and partner at Episcope, curated a wine list featuring 130 selections that include grower-producer Champagnes, White Burgundy, Bordeaux, and Italian, German, and Spanish wines.
As part of the hotel’s overhaul, the restaurant’s design was led by local interior designer, Kara Childress, resulting in a fashionable, well-appointed space that includes indoor and outdoor dining areas, and six private event spaces.
“Inspired by the European spirit of Hotel Granduca, we sought to create a space that feels refined yet inviting—where layers of rich textures, thoughtful details, and a timeless palette create an environment that evolves effortlessly from day to night,” says Kara Childress, founder of Kara Childress, Inc. “At Remi, every detail tells a story. The textures, the materials, and the carefully curated elements work in harmony to bring a sense of history and sophistication, while embracing a modern spirit.”
The dining room is decorated with a rotating collection of photography from David Yarrow, with one of the focal points being a piece called The Last Supper in Texas. Guests that take a liking may consider adding a piece to their home collection, as all of the works are available for purchase.
Beyond the main dining room, Remi spills into the Granduca’s lush central courtyard, where guests can opt to imbibe or dine al fresco. Bar Remi is a separate feature, adjacent to the restaurant, that transitions from a relaxed coffee and tea destination by day to a livelier cocktail bar-style setting by evening. Bar Remi’s robust beverage program includes coffee from locally-owned Three Keys Coffee, premium Smith Teas, matcha drinks made with Japan’s BreakAway Matcha; plus scratch-made cocktails crafted with fresh-pressed juices and house-made syrups and a signature martini program.
While there is plenty to discover within the walls of the new and improved Hotel Granduca, one of the property’s longstanding traditions will remain. The popular afternoon tea service, which has been a cherished part of Houston’s dining scene for years, will relaunch this spring.
Remi, 1080 Uptown Park Blvd., Houston, remihouston.com
